With nostalgically tailored shapes, authentic femininity and elegant silhouettes, Violante Nessi — Italian womenswear Atelier for the ‘Gitane’ modern lifestyle — is remastering past classics for the future.

Nestled in a charming townhouse in the heart of Chelsea, London, the newly launched fashion house made its first appearance in February of 2018; now at the hands of founder and creative director Violante Nessi, the label’s essence has been building momentum in Italy for the last three years. Paying homage to the roots of tradition, each curated piece is exquisitely made with a commitment and passion for craftsmanship and high quality. Born in Bologna by her German-Italian father and Chilean mother, Nessi’s designs evoke the sensuality of her Latin heritage, with the perfect harmony of pure elegance. “It’s a discovery of myself, a challenge dense of emotions, incredible people and an everyday lesson.”

Enriched by experience, painting, and art – adding the personal indulgence of fine dining and music – it is only right that the designer’s main inspiration be a blank page. “My emotions, my dreams, and my feelings are the fruit of experiences, people, artworks and things that I have lived that have left in me something deeply and that I need to express through my creations. There is one city which is always in the scenario and this is New York,” revealed Nessi. But to the point of fashion, it is the city of Tokyo that ignites the brand’s nostalgic draw to the past with a focus on the future. “They have the natural ability to implement the values of their culture in any form of style of our current generation.”

With a new home in London, the visionary is also drawn to the dressed-up lifestyle of this mecca destination for fashion. “I believe that people in London still have a desire to dress up for occasions and this is something I love and I cannot find easily in other countries.” Bon vivant by nature, Nessi is designing for an intelligent and opinionated woman, proud of her femininity, passionate about life and “who values her individuality more. She makes choices led by her instinct, heart, and authenticity of aesthetic.” Celebrating the elegance and values of Italian fashion this designer with a story to tell is only just getting started. Mixing heritage chic and curled silks with supple silhouettes, the signature structured shoulder detailing is reminiscent of the powerhouse women determined by vocation and living life la dolce vita in Violante Nessi. “I love the 50’s and 60’s where the reason to wear clothes was just to be the best version of themselves,” mused Nessi. 

Each piece expertly constructed with passion and emotion carries a story, a refined design destined to become the timeless staple in your special wardrobe. Drawn to the stories of each capsule collection, we had to know! What is the creator’s own go-to piece and why? “The ‘Yayoy’ sweater paired with the ‘Matisse’ trousers are the perfect combo to feel sexy and elegant from day into night.” What do you love to see in the industry today? “I love to see the new wave of mixing male tailoring with female couture. I don’t like when brands do politics.” So what can we expect in the upcoming Violante Nessi collections? “New modern takes on the knitted dress and structured blazers,” revealed the designer. Finding inspiration in artistic expression and the blank pages filled with life’s experiences and the emotions within, the young and promising founder and creative director live by these words: “Beauty is harmony and that’s all I look for.”